The Philistines go Back to Ziklag
November 4, 2019
Commentary
To a devout Hebrew, the land of Canaan was the Lord’s sanctuary, the place where the Ark and Tabernacle rested and where the presence of Jehovah dwelt. To live outside the limits must have been very difficult for David and his followers. With this in mind, you can understand how David must have felt as he is asked by Achish to fight against his own countrymen. Now, as he is en route to Aphek with the Philistine army, you can be sure that he prayed often and in earnest that somehow he would be spared from entering the field of battle.
The Philistine commanders knew that David was the one who, as a young man, had killed Goliath and hundreds of the Philistine soldiers. When they saw him marching to battle with their army to fight the Israelites, they protested. They expressed their concern that in the heat of battle David might turn against them. Though Achish argued that David and his men should stay, he was outvoted and they were asked to go back to Ziklag. Although David was greatly relieved, he could not allow Achish to know his true feelings so he offered a feeble protest (v.8). As a result, early the next morning before the camp is awake, with a sense of intense relief, David and his men set out for Ziklag.
Application
When David was placed in a position of fighting against his own countrymen, he called out to God to somehow spare him from this. When I may be asked to compromise, my first reaction should be to cry out to God.
1 Samuel 29:1– 11 (NET)
1 The Philistines assembled all their troops at Aphek, while Israel camped at the spring that is in Jezreel. 2 When the leaders of the Philistines were passing in review at the head of their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men were passing in review in the rear with Achish.
3 The leaders of the Philistines asked, âWhat about these Hebrews?â Achish said to the leaders of the Philistines, âIsnât this David, the servant of King Saul of Israel, who has been with me for quite some time? I have found no fault with him from the day of his defection until the present time!â
4 But the leaders of the Philistines became angry with him and said to him, âSend the man back! Let him return to the place that you assigned him! Donât let him go down with us into the battle, for he might become our adversary in the battle. What better way to please his lord than with the heads of these men? 5 Isnât this David, of whom they sang as they danced, âSaul has struck down his thousands, but David his tens of thousandsâ?â
6 So Achish summoned David and said to him, âAs surely as the Lord lives, you are an honest man, and I am glad to have you serving with me in the army. I have found no fault with you from the day that you first came to me until the present time. But in the opinion of the leaders, you are not reliable. 7 So turn and leave in peace. You must not do anything that the leaders of the Philistines consider improper!â
8 But David said to Achish, âWhat have I done? What have you found in your servant from the day that I first came into your presence until the present time, that I shouldnât go and fight the enemies of my lord the king?â 9 Achish replied to David, âI am convinced that you are as reliable as the angel of God! However, the leaders of the Philistines have said, âHe must not go up with us in the battle.â 10 So get up early in the morning along with the servants of your lord who have come with you. When you get up early in the morning, as soon as it is light enough to see, leave.â
11 So David and his men got up early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines, but the Philistines went up to Jezreel.